This display honours two distinguished Highlanders who gave their lives in WW1.
Lieutenant Colonel William Renwick Marshall, DSO
Born in Hamilton, Ontario on 20 March 1875, he was a graduate of Upper Canada College in Toronto. He was already a seasoned military officer when the First World War began in 1914. Marshall had served 21 years in the Canadian Militia—first as a Lieutenant in the 13th Royal Regiment (Hamilton), then as a Captain on the HQ staff of Military District No. 2. He also served with distinction in the South African Boer War, while serving as a Captain with the Royal Canadian Regiment and Canadian Mounted Rifles.
In civilian life, he was the assistant manager of the Royal Distillery in Hamilton. When war broke out in August 1914, he joined the 48th Highlanders, and was appointed Major and second-in-command of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders), Canadian Expeditionary Force.
At the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, Marshall distinguished himself under the first German chlorine gas attack and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Following the battle, he assumed command of the battalion, leading it through fierce engagements at Festubert and Hill 60. On 19 May 1916, he was killed in action at Hill 60.
Revered by his men, physically fit, and constantly present at the front, Marshall was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery with full military honours. His leadership laid the foundation for the battalion’s continued excellence throughout the war. A memorial at Hill 60 erected by the 15th Battalion Memorial Project commemorates his sacrifice.
Lieutenant Colonel Armour Adamson Miller
Born 19 February 1876 in Goderich, Ontario, he was a Toronto lawyer and long-serving officer of the 48th Highlanders, joining in 1901. He assumed command of the 134th Battalion (48th Highlanders), CEF in July 1916, following LCol Donald’s illness, and led the unit overseas that August. After the 134th was absorbed into the 12th Reserve Battalion, Miller reverted to Major and joined the 19th Battalion in France. On 21 June 1918, he was mortally wounded during a trench raid near Doullens. He died of his wounds at age 42 and is buried in Picardy,France.
